West Indies Cricketers Off To Bangladesh (24 October 1998)

West Indies cricketers were preparing to leave the Caribbean late
yesterday to contest the International Crickets Council (ICC)
international limited overs tournament starting in Bangladesh today.

The West Indies will meet Pakistan on Thursday, and after the
International Cricket Council tournament, they will move on to their
three-month South Africa tour.

For the ICC tournament, the West Indies will be without top pacer
Curtly Ambrose, who made a late withdrawal from the team Wednesday.
Ambrose is staying back in Antigua to oversee repairs to his house,
damaged by Hurricane Georges last month.

He has been replaced in the Brian Lara-led team by the pacy young
Guyana fast bowler Reon King.

Obviously, missing someone of Curtlys calibre, will play a major
factor in the team, team coach Malcolm Marshall said.

Obviously all the guys would like him to be there, but you can also
look at giving Reon King the opportunity to prove his worth as well,
Marshall added.

Reggie Scarlett, director of Coaching with the West Indies Cricket
Board, believes the players are physically ready for their lengthy
road trip.

We've introduced our new fitness and conditioning programme, and every
player who was looked at has improved immensely. So if that is the
yardstick were going to use, were ready, were ready for it.

I believe were going to give a good account of ourselves. The players
are more focused, I believe, and I expect great things from them,
Scarlett said.

The West Indies will play Pakistan on Thursday for a spot in the
semifinals. The final is set for November 1.

Afterwards, the Windies will move on to South Africa for their series
of five Tests and seven One-Day Internationals.